A severe winter storm swept through Eretz Yisroel beginning Monday night and continuing through Tuesday, bringing intense rainfall, powerful winds, thunderstorms, hail, snowfall, and widespread flooding.

Wind gusts exceeding 100 km/h were recorded along the coast, causing extensive damage in many cities and towns, while emergency and rescue forces were kept busy with dozens of life-saving operations.

Among the hard-hit areas was Kiryat Malachi, where residents of Nachalas Har Chabad, home to approximately 3,000 Anash families, found themselves facing a double storm. Alongside the nationwide weather system, neighborhood streets were flooded, vehicles were left stranded without the ability to move, and in several areas, residents were unable to leave their homes as water levels rose to knee height.

The strongest winds were measured in Ashkelon, where gusts reached 103 km/h. Tel Aviv, Chadera, Ashdod, Chaifa, and Yerushalayim all experienced extremely strong winds.

In Rishon L’Tzion, the powerful gusts caused part of the wall of the city’s historic winery to collapse onto parked cars. B’chasdei Hashem, no one was injured, though significant property damage was reported.

“This is an event that cannot be described as anything other than a great miracle,” said Rishon L’Tzion Mayor Raz Kinstlich.

Heavy rain led to severe flooding in many areas. The Naomi Shemer Tunnel at the eastern entrance to Yerushalayim filled with water, trapping several vehicles inside. In Abu Ghosh, firefighters were forced to rescue a man and a woman after their car was caught in floodwaters that rose to window level. The woman briefly lost consciousness following the rescue and was evacuated to the hospital in light condition.

Flash floods were also reported in multiple streams across the country. In one incident, two people were rescued after becoming trapped on the roof of their vehicle as rushing water surrounded them. Firefighters secured the victims with ropes and extracted them to safety.

Trees collapsed in many locations, damaging vehicles and causing light injuries. A 92-year-old man in the north was treated for hypothermia after being found unconscious outdoors. Search teams continue efforts to locate a 16-year-old boy who was swept away near Nachal Modi’in.

An Arab woman in her 50s from east Yerushalayim was reportedly killed after a heavy object struck her as floodwaters surged through her home.

Heavy hail fell across central Israel, including Bnei Brak, while snow was reported in Gush Etzion. Around 15 centimeters of snow accumulated on Har Chermon, forcing the ski site to remain closed.

Meteorological officials say the peak of the storm has passed, though unsettled weather is expected to continue through the week. Authorities continue to urge the public to avoid flooded areas and flowing water.

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